On a personal note, when I first heard that our next trip was going to include, Wichita, Kansas, I was more than dreadfully anticipating the departure date. What is there to do in the middle of nowhere in a place called Wichita, Kansas? Well, one might be surprised; there is a lot to do there in the daytime and in the nighttime.
Being that I am a wife of an aerospace engineer, our business and travels took us both to Wichita, Kansas. For those of you unaware, it is the “Air Capital of the World” so it was very befitting of us both. Before leaving for the new adventure, I was thinking it was going to be a small town with minimalist things to do. Little did I know that the City of Wichita was ranked ninth in “CNN/Money” and “Money magazine’s 10 best big cities to live in the United States. In flight, I got my first glimpse of Wichita. It was a large city in the middle of nowhere it seemed, almost like a lost city like Atlantis.
So, here are the things that I found to be most interesting while on a trip to Wichita, Kansas:
1. Cabaret Old Town
412 ½ E. Douglas 67202; 316-265-4400
This is a live theatre that provides cutting edge musical comedies that can’t be missed!
2. Mosley Street Melodrama
234 N. Mosley St 67202
We were told that this is one of the oldest favorites in the city, we shortly knew why when arriving. First, you are treated to a home-style buffet catered by the local “Pig In, Pig Out Barbecue.” Alcoholic drinks are also available. Then the fun begins. The melodrama starts and the entire audience is supposed to yell at the actors and enjoy in a rowdy show. After this there is a musical comedy that is great entertainment. When everything is finished, the actors shake your hands as you are leaving.
3. Kansas Grown! Inc.
8141 E. 21st st. 67206
316-660-9300
This is a fantastic farmers market that holds just about everything that you could ever wish for in a farmers market. There are private sales of furniture, locally grown produce, soaps, lotions and so much more.
4. Cero’s Candies
1108 E. Douglas Ave. 67214
316-264-5002
This is a candy shop that can not be missed. You can watch candy be made while you eat homemade chocolates! There is peanut brittle, chocolate truffles, caramels and even popcorn chocolate!
5. Rock Paper Scissors, LLC
300 N. Mead 67202
316-263-4500
This is a fantastic specialty shop that contains just about everything from art-deco lamps, stationary to antique desks. The treasure that we found was handmade paper!
6. Museum of World Treasures
835 E. 1st St. in Old Town
This is a fantastic museum that holds many things to look at such as Egyptian mummies which is always a favorite, an old western exhibit, 10 real dinosaurs and even a Berlin Wall Exhibit.
7. Frou Frou
8340 E. 21st 67206
316-651-0771
This is a great store if you like unique gifts that are up to date with fashion. It has Pandora bracelets, purses, shoes and other specialty gifts.
8. The Kansas African American Museum
601 N. Water St. 67203
316-262-7651
This is a cultural museum filled with artifacts, visual art forms, historical documents and so much more than reflect the history of African American Life and culture. Although I have studied African American history, this museum increased my knowledge.
9. Old Cowtown Museum
1865 Museum Blvd 67203
316-660-1864
When I first heard about this museum, I thought the informative person was joking! Little did I know that this would be one of my favorite locations. Seriously, I have never been to a museum like this in America, there is one in Japan however this is very American – specific. It is basically a small city that the locals like to call a living museum. It has dirt streets, live animals and you even get to dress up in costumes that are perfect for the period in time.
10. Kansas Cosmosphere & Space Center
1100 N. Plum St.
Hustchinson, Kansas 67501
This is a museum that contains a large number of international space artifacts and some have stated that it is the largest in the world. It contains artifacts from the Unites States and the Soviet Union space programs.
